Lisbon region bids for EU funds to test pay-as-you-throw waste scheme

The Lisbon and Tagus Valley regional coordination commission (CCDR LVT) has applied to the EU's LIFE Programme for a project called PAYT4CIRCULARITY. It aims to raise separate waste collection by 25% and cut mixed waste by 20% in five municipalities: Lisbon, Oeiras, Cascais, Santarém and Golegã. Each will run a pilot of "pay-as-you-throw" systems, where residents are rewarded for producing less mixed waste and recycling more. Universities, waste operators and independent verifiers are partners. The results are meant to help other municipalities meet 2030 EU targets and adapt their tariffs. If approved, the project would last 48 months.